Once train crash: Jaime criticises 'political trial'

Former Transport Secretary Ricardo Jaime today spoke in the ongoing trial over the Once tragedy of 2012, rejecting accusations made against him by plaintiffs and prosecutors.

"This is a political trial, not a legal accusation," he told judges in the Second Federal Oral court, after seeing a request for his imprisonment filed by prosecuting attorney Gregorio Dalbón turned down by magistrates.

"I have wondered for two years while I am in this trial, it is the same thing almost all those charged are wondering," Jaime added. While calling the fatal accident a "sad event," the former politician pointed out that it occurred "three years" after he left public service.

The new hearing of Once crash trial had begun with an "immediate arrest” warrant against former Transport Secretary Ricardo Jaime asked by plaintiff Gregorio Dalbón, who said the former Secretary “knows how to escape from Justice.”

Dalbón asked for the warrant because Jaime’s legal situation changed, he faces a “collection of cases”.

“He knows how to escape from Justice. It would be a danger, he could obstruct Justice”, said the Plaintiff. Dalbón also asked for “custody” for the train driver Marcos Córdoba.

Today’s hearing began with former TBA concessionary company executive Mario Francisco Cirigliano’s testimony but he refused to testify, arguing he has already given “satisfying” testimony in previous questionings.

Jaime’s succesor as Transport Secretary Juan Pablo Schiavi also addressed the court, taking the opportunity to apologise to families of the 51 people who lost their lives in the incident for his public statements.

Schiavi described as "unfortunate" his assertion at the time that, had the accident occurred on a public holiday, fewer would have lost their lives on the train.